Tuesday

An emergency room doctor in Miami working at the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic has temporarily lost custody of her 4-year-old daughter amid heightened coronavirus fears.

Before the pandemic, Theresa Greene split custody time with her ex-husband, Eric Greene, for nearly two years. He requested full custody of their daughter last week via an emergency order in light of the coronavirus pandemic, which was granted by Judge Bernard Shapiro of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida.

“In order to protect the best interests of the minor child, including but not limited to the minor child’s safety and welfare, this Court temporarily suspends the Former Wife’s timesharing until further Order of Court," Shapiro wrote in the order, per WTVJ-TV in Miami and CNN. "The suspension is solely related to the outbreak of COVID-19.”

Greene told CNN that she has worn personal protective equipment at all times while at work, and, per WTVJ-TV, has tested negative for coronavirus.

"We're being very careful," she told CNN. "We use everything we can. I’ve actually worn equipment above and beyond to protect myself and my child.”

She feels as if she's been forced to choose between saving lives and raising her daughter.

"I know I’m not alone, first responders, nurses, so many people in this position who, because they’re divorced, their children are suffering and they're being told they can’t see them, and it’s just not fair,” she told WTVJ-TV.

Greene pointed out to CNN that there's no way to know when she'll reunite with her daughter, given that it remains unclear when this pandemic will be over.

Eric Greene's attorney, Paul Leinoff, said in a statement to CNN that the court ruling has an addendum to provide "future make-up timesharing" for Theresa, as well as "daily" video calls.

"We recognize and genuinely appreciate the sacrifices that she and all healthcare workers are all currently making to save lives and prevent further illness in Florida and around the world," Leinoff said. "The Greenes' temporary timesharing dispute was presented before the Court based upon the specific facts of this individual family."